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Reprinted from: Green Bay Press-Gazette
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/

May 15, 2005

UWGB gives Cofrins honorary alumnus status at ceremony

By Andy Nelesen
anelesen@greenbaypressgazette.com

Even though several buildings on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus are named for the generosity of David and Mary Ann Cofrin, neither were alumni — until Saturday.

"I'm going to fix that," Shepard said in a surprise proclamation during the university's spring commencement. The Cofrins were bestowed the honor of honorary alumnus in appreciation for their "lifelong support of service, advocacy, leadership and devotion to UW-Green Bay."

The Cofrins, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., were on stage as escorts for Nancy Stiles, who received the Chancellor's Award for her efforts in garnering support for the campus' Weidner Center for the Performing Arts. After Stiles received her plaque and applause, Chancellor Bruce Shepard asked the Cofrins to stay on stage for a minute.

"I don't know how you feel about surprises..." he said before launching into the Cofrins resume of campus contributions. The list includes contributions for: Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, the Cofrin Library, the Cofrin Arboretum and the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity. The couple also provided the seed money to build Weidner Center, the stage they were standing on.

Shepard declared the Cofrins were "the first members of the Class of 2005."

The award received a standing ovation.